Underdogs hungry for Night Series title

Subiaco will head into Saturday’s National Premier Leagues WA Night Series final against Floreat Athena unfazed by their underdog status, according to skipper Ryan Montgomery.

Floreat have won Night Series finals seven times in previous years and have a wealth of experience in the league but Montgomery hopes to get his hands on the first piece of silverware for 2018.

“I’ve watched Floreat a couple of times and they are definitely the team to beat,” he said. “But it’s a final and anything can happen so we’ll just prepare like we always do and hopefully we can get the result we’re after.

“All of the pressure will be on them so we just need to do what we do and I’m confident we can get the result.”

Montgomery, whose exceptional goalkeeping form ensured Subiaco kept clean sheets in two of their three Night Series matches, credits a combined team effort for their winning streak.

“It’s been a good start for us,” he said. “We’re a tight-knit group of lads and I think that has had a part to play in how we’ve started the year.

“When you play for each other it makes a big difference and being able to blood a few of the younger lads through the Night Series has been a bonus too.

“What (player-coach Ian McMurray) has been able to do in just over a year with the team has been amazing and I’m sure with his wealth of experience he’ll have us well prepared come kick-off on Saturday night.”

Floreat’s route to the final has been exemplary with wins over Inglewood United and Forrestfield United, as well as a penalty shoot-out win over Perth SC in the semi-final.

Skipper Dean Evans was impressed with his side’s first two performances but said the semi-final was not an easy win.

“Perth made it very difficult and I felt we never got into our passing game due to the pressure they applied,” he said.

“But even when we weren’t playing our best we had to roll up our sleeves and battle through the game we did and it was a credit to the boys for getting us to the final.”

The former Perth Glory midfielder said the new-look squad are building momentum under coach Howard Tweats.

“Howard has brought some new faces and fresh ideas to the club and has his own style of demands from each individual and then collectively as a team,” Evans said.

“We have the players to play an attractive style of football and he wants us to get the best out of ourselves.”

Floreat have featured in Night Series finals 11 times over the years, but Evans said Subiaco will be no pushovers.

“We won’t be taking Subiaco lightly. Ian McMurray will definitely have his boys up for the game and they deservedly take their spot in the final after the performances they’ve put in throughout the competition.

“We will need to be on top of our game if we want to win the Night Series.”